Agenda Item # 2
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
03/13/2012
Agenda Report # 022
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant ? Weatherization
Program UPDATE
INITIATED BY: Planning Department
Recommendation: Authorization is requested to execute an Agreement with
Community Action for Improvement, Inc. (CAFI) to administer a home
weatherization program under a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, on
behalf of the city.
Background: The city has received funds from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5, through the Department of Energy
(DOE). The EECBG program provides a framework to reduce energy use and fossil
fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency by the use of weatherization
programs. This weatherization program will retrofit residential buildings that
meet income eligibility requirements of 200% of poverty level by conducting
energy audits and the needed modifications to the homes to increase energy
efficiency. Community Action for Improvement, Inc., (CAFI) will act as the
city?s agent for this program to address the needs of each individual home.
Analysis: The weatherization program is designed to increase energy
efficiency, and reducing waste and pollution by replacing outdated and
inefficient appliances. The program will provide assistance for forty (40)
homes that meet income eligibility requirements (200% of poverty level).
According to the Department of Energy the typical residential unit requires
approximately $6,500 in weatherization. The amount expended on an individual
residential unit will not exceed $10,000. The program will be administered
within the city?s targeted redevelopment areas such as: Beallwood, 2nd Avenue,
Medical Center, East Highland, and Lawyers Lane. Since our initial
presentation of this grant to the Council, we have asked for and received a
detailed itemized budget for this program. The budget spreadsheet is attached
and identifies salaries, supplies and material costs for this project.
In addition, we have reviewed the contract that CAFI has with the Georgia
Environmental Assistance Program (state agency), which includes language for
providing assistance for rental units. Under that contract, it allows for
assistance to rental units provided that CAFI first obtains "written permission
of the owner of the unit or an agent authorized to bind the owner in this
matter...and the contractor will not weatherize a rental unit without first
securing from the Owner written assurance that either: (1) rents shall not be
raised because of any increased value of dwelling units that is attributed
solely to weatherization assistance provided by the Contractor (CAFI); (2)
where the rental payments include payment for utilities, a corresponding
decrease in rent shall be afforded tenants of dwelling units weatherized by
Contractor. Contractor will not perform undue or excessive enhancement to the
value of rental dwelling units weatherized."
Community Action for Improvement, Inc., will be responsible for administering
and performing the weatherization program which will mandate that residential
energy assessments must be done by certified building analysts as established
by the city. The program must also include required heating and cooling system
performance and safety tests, and other reviews and actions required by the
technical standards. as established by the U.S.Department of Energy.
The agreement will allow CAFI to administer this program on behalf of the city,
which is the responsible agency for this grant. CAFI was chosen as a sole
source since no other local agency participates in the state's weatherization
program.
Financial Considerations: The total amount for this grant program is $400,000.
This amount includes both administration and installation of weatherization
materials under this grant. There is not a required match for this program. The
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) is the lead agency for the
State's energy programs and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). GEFA
issued an RFP, on March 24, 2011, for a Weatherization Program Service Provider
for Muscogee County. Community Action For Improvement, Inc., (CAFI) was the
successful candidate, awarded the contract on May 1, 2011. A detailed budget
spreadsheet is attached. CAFI
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: This is a one time cost. The funds
are exclusively federal dollars with no local match.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed Agreement
and has approved its form.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to enter into an
Agreement with Community Action for Improvement, Inc. for weatherization
services.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH
COMMUNITY ACTION FOR IMPROVEMENT, INC. TO PROVIDE WEATHERIZATION SERVICES.
WHEREAS, in 2009, the City was awarded $1,844,800 from the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and to improve
energy efficiency; and,
WHEREAS, as the grant applicant, the City has selected potential projects to
receive partial funds from this grant and has determined that $400,000 of these
funds are to be used for the purpose of establishing a weatherization program
for low income residents; and,
WHEREAS, the weatherization program will provide up to $6,500 per home to
retrofit residential buildings that meet income eligibility requirements of
200% of poverty level by conducting energy audits and the needed modifications
to the homes to increase Energy Efficiency; and,
WHEREAS, Community Action for Improvement, Inc has been selected to
administrate this program on behalf of the city.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the
Community Action for Improvement, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $400,000 to
administer a weatherization program as defined under funds granted by the U.S.
Department of Energy.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2012 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of
_____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_________________________________
_________________________
Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council ,
Mayor
Attachments