Number
171843
Version
Original
Reference
091066, 091269, 131035, 170337
Sponsor
ALD. KOVAC, JOHNSON, MURPHY, AND BAUMAN
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Administration-Environmental Collaboration Office to accept $211,882 of incentive funding from the Focus on Energy program and work with a participant investor and solar installer to design, supply, install, commission, maintain and finance 1.1 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels on six City buildings.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration-Office of Environmental Sustainability to work with the Department of Public Works, the Milwaukee Public Library and the Milwaukee Police Department to evaluate and select City buildings that are suitable candidates for solar and to work with qualified solar installers and participant investors on six solar electric systems totaling approximately 1.1 megawatts. This approach allows the project to utilize federal tax credits to reduce the system cost to the City and the amount of capital needed to fund the project. It has been utilized by other local governments and school districts in Wisconsin including Darlington, Eagle River, Baraboo and Reedsburg.
Body
Whereas, December 22, 2009, the Common Council passed a resolution (#091066) supporting the “25 x 25” goal, which called for generating 25 percent of the City’s electricity from renewable resources by 2025; and
Whereas, On February 9, 2010, the Common Council adopted File Number 091269, expressing a commitment to promoting solar energy in the City; and
Whereas, On December 17, 2013, the Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 131035, approving and directing implementation of the City's sustainability plan called ReFresh Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The City's sustainability plan calls on the City to reduce energy use 20% by 2020 and increase reliance on renewable energy to 25% by 2025; and
Whereas, According to the Solar Energies Industry Association, the cost to install solar has dropped by more than 70% since 2010; and
Whereas, On June 20, 2017 the Common Council adopted Resolution File Number 170337 expressing the City’s support for the Paris Climate Accord; and
Whereas, The City has made a commitment to take actions to reduce climate pollution in alignment with the City’s energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, and continues to support the principles of the Paris Climate Accord; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee’s Energy Reduction Team is working to reduce energy use across City operations; and
Whereas, The Environmental Collaboration Office will identify the most financially advantageous proposal from qualified solar installers and participant investors to design, supply, install, commission, maintain and finance six solar electric systems totaling 1.1 megawatts; and
Whereas, The City will co-own the PV systems with a participant investor so that the project can utilize federal investment tax credits that are available for solar PV; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That upon the receipt and deposit of these funds, the City Comptroller is directed to establish a special account within the Environmental Collaboration Office's budget for the expenditure of the contributions; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is directed to transfer appropriations and estimated revenue from the Special Purpose Account for Contribution, 0001-2110-0001-D001-006300, and the Estimated Revenue Account for Contributions, 0001-2110-0001-009850, to the Environmental Collaboration Office Special Account, 0001-1510-006300-DXXX and the Environmental Collaboration Office's Estimated Revenue Account, 0001-1510-0001-009850, up to the amount of $211,882; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Department of Administration is authorized to seek proposals to seek a qualified investor and solar installer team to design, supply, install, commission, maintain and finance 1.1 megawatt of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on six City buildings in co-ownership with the City; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration shall not enter into financial arrangement with a qualified investor and solar installer without prior approval from the Common Council.
Requestor
Environmental Collaboration Office
Erick Shambarger
3/22/18