Agenda Item # 2
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
02/28/2012
Agenda Report # 014
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant ? Weatherization
Program
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efficiency, and reducing waste and pollution by replacing outdated and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, with a total of $6,500 per home that meet income eligibility
requirements (200% of poverty level). The program will be administered within
the city?s targeted redevelopment areas such as: Beallwood, 2nd Avenue, Medical
Center, East Highland, and Lawyers Lane.
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.
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
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