Title
Authorizing the City to apply for $111,650 from the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program for solar installation at Hayden Heights Library.
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Climate Action and Resilience Plan adopted in 2019 established a goal to achieve carbon neutrality in municipal operations, and the 2026 Climate Plan Update includes a target for increasing onsite solar energy at City buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Legislature established the Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program in 2023 to provide grants to stimulate the installation of solar energy systems on public buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Hayden Heights Library is being remodeled during 2026-2027 and the renovation must align with the State of Minnesota's B3 Sustainable Buildings Guidelines and meet the SB2030 Energy Standard, which requires on-site renewable energy production for the facility; and
WHEREAS, the grant amount would be $111,650 with a grant term of October 2026-April 2028 and the funding source for this grant is state funds; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Financial Services-Real Estate Division and Saint Paul Public Libraries are requesting permission to apply for grant funding to cover approximately 70% of the $154,400 total project cost for installing a 63.72-kWdc rooftop solar array at Hayden Heights Library with the remainder of the costs to be paid by the existing renovation budget for the facility; and
WHEREAS, the Grants Division of the Office of Financial Services has reviewed and approved the Intent to Apply request; and
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council authorizes the Office of Financial Services-Real Estate Division and Saint Paul Public Library Agency to apply for the Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program to support solar installation at Hayden Heights Library.