Title
a. Accept grant funds from the Central Coast Community Energy Member Agency Planning, Implementation, and Innovation Grant Program grant award in the amount of $150,000 to fund the development of County Decarbonization Framework to strategically plan the decarbonization of County buildings; and
b. Enter into, execute, and deliver Planning, Implementation, and Innovation Grant Agreement such subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality; and
c. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-23 County Administrative Office Adopted Budget 001-1050-CAO004-8054 to increase appropriations and estimated revenue by $150,000, funded by the augmentation of grant revenues from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County Board of Supervisors authorize the Assistant County Administrative Officer or his designee to:
a. Accept grant funds from the Central Coast Community Energy Member Agency Planning, Implementation, and Innovation Grant Program grant award in the amount of $150,000 to fund the development of County Decarbonization Framework to strategically plan the decarbonization of County buildings; and
b. Enter into, execute, and deliver Planning, Implementation, and Innovation Grant Agreement such subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality; and
c. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-23 County Administrative Office Adopted Budget 001-1050-CAO004-8054 to increase appropriations and estimated revenue by $150,000, funded by the augmentation of grant revenues from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) issued an application guide for the Planning, Implementation, and Innovation Grant Program available to Member Agencies on December 7, 2021. Monterey County is a founding Member Agency of 3CE, and the Monterey County Sustainability Program works with 3CE to accomplish shared sustainability objectives. The Sustainability Program submitted a complete application on February 7, 2022 for a proposal titled “Strategic Planning to Overcome Barriers to Deep Decarbonization”, and was awarded a grant amount of $150,000 on April 29, 2022. County Counsel conducted a preliminary review of the Grant Agreement language and approved the Grant Agreement on May 18, 2022 and again on July 13, 2022 following revisions from 3CE.
Therefore, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt this Resolution to allow the Assistant County Administrative Officer to accept this award; enter into, execute, and deliver the Grant Agreement for the Planning, Implementation, and Innovation Grant Program.
The proposed Grant Agreement and Project Narrative component of the grant application are included as attachments to this staff report.
The Strategic Planning to Overcome Barriers to Deep Decarbonization project will accomplish three goals:
1) Develop a County-Wide Decarbonization Framework for our County facilities
2) Conduct an Infrastructure Inventory to prioritize decarbonization of our building assets
3) Develop a ready-to-bid plan for full-electrification of select County facilities
The first goal will establish a framework for portfolio-wide decarbonization of our County facilities. This framework will allow the County to educate both staff and community members, as well as structure capital improvement processes in a manner that supports electrification throughout our wide service area. In addition to the organizational benefits to the County, this document will provide the local builder community with an educational document that demonstrates the County’s electrification trajectory. The second goal bridges the gap from electrification planning to implementation by strategically prioritizing capital improvement projects based on an Infrastructure Inventory of County facilities and equipment. This technical roadmap will allow the County to plot the most cost-effective path to reaching our 2035 Carbon Neutral Buildings goal and institutionalize large-scale GHG reductions. The third objective of this grant is to develop a ready-to-bid plan for the full electrification of a group of County facilities that result in immediate GHG reductions and provides crucial proof-of-concept for rapid decarbonization.
Due to the canceled June 29 Budget Committee Hearing and the upcoming summer recess of the Board, staff requested permission from the Chair of the Budget Committee to bypass the Budget Committee and move this resolution to the Board Consent Calendar. This request was granted on June 30 via email.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
3CE, PWFP. This application was prepared in coordination with Arc Alternatives and Central Coast Energy Watch.
FINANCING:
The requested authorization will allow the County to accept an award up to $150,000 under the Planning, Implementation, and Innovation Grant Program through Central Coast Community Energy. There is no matching funds requirement for this grant program. Should additional revenues and appropriations be required to complete the work funded by this grant opportunity, the County Administrative Office will present a Budget Augmentation to the Board through their Budget Committee for consideration and approval.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Building Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency are key strategies to accomplish the County’s 2035 Building Decarbonization Goal which is part of the 2021/2022 Board adopted Sustainability Program Plan. The electrification of gas infrastructure reduces local air pollution levels, supports healthier communities, and removes public safety risk of explosive gas infrastructure.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
X_Infrastructure
X_Public Safety
Report prepared by: Cora Panturad, Sustainable Infrastructure Analyst
Report approved by Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer x5145
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
Project Narrative