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Accepting a grant from The McKnight Foundation to match funds secured for the City Energy Project.
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WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council and Mayor Chris Coleman are dedicated to making Saint Paul one of the most sustainable cities in the United States and to protecting our city’s air, water, and urban landscape; and
WHEREAS, in December 2015 Mayor Chris Coleman signed, with the support of the Saint Paul City Council (RES 15-2093), the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of mayors and city officials pledging to reduce local GHG emissions, enhance resiliency to climate change, and track their progress transparently; and
WHEREAS, by signing the Compact of Mayors, the City of Saint Paul reaffirmed its commitment to reducing GHG, and pledged to meet a series of ambitious milestones outlined in the Compact, which include establishing GHG emissions targets; identifying climate hazards; assessing climate vulnerabilities; and developing climate action and resiliency plan to report annually on progress; and
WHEREAS, the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) established the City Energy Project which is national initiative to create healthier and more prosperous American cities by improving the energy efficiency of large buildings, both public and private sector. Funding for City Energy Project is provided jointly by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Kresge Foundation; and
WHEREAS, IMT and NRDC selected the City of Saint Paul to join the City Energy Project and provided funds (RES 16-2042) towards a technical advisor and other technical assistance and resources to advance energy efficiency in large buildings; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul will be working with the Center for Energy and Environment, whose mission is to promote energy efficiency to strengthen the economy while improving the environment, to implement this grant; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul applied for and was award funds from The McKnight Foundation to match funds secured for the City Energy Project and to support community engagement in the development of a climate action and adaptation plan; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council accepts this grant and hereby authorizes the appropriate city officials to enter into the grant agreement with The McKnight Foundation.