Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution of the City Council of the City of McKinney, Texas, Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute a Contract with Gresham, Smith and Partners to Develop a Sustainability Plan for the City of McKinney
Summary
MEETING DATE: September 21, 2010 - Regular Meeting
DEPARTMENT: Office of Environmental Services
CONTACT: Julie Smith, Environmental Services Manager
Craig Sykora, Planner
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approve Sustainability Contract
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program granted the City of McKinney $120,000 for the Completion of a Sustainability Plan.
• The Budget for the Sustainability Plan is $120,000.
• City Staff released an RFQ to Qualified Sustainable Practices and Planning Consulting Teams.
• The Sustainability Plan selection team received 11 Statements of Qualifications
• The selection team interviewed the top three ranked firms
• From these top three firms, the selection committee selected Gresham, Smith and Partners to complete the Sustainability Plan
• The plan’s purpose is to identify essential elements of community sustainability and provide analysis and guidelines for the operation of community activities. The plan should include measurable indicators and planning principles for all key areas of the city, including, but not limited to: the natural environment, built environment, purchasing, energy, economic development, air quality, water quality and quantity, and transportation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The City of McKinney (“City”) has been obligated monies as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for several activities including developing a Community Sustainability Plan. This project is funded through funds received by the EECBG program of the US Department of Energy (DOE).
• The basic goals of the Community Sustainability Plan activity are to:
o Build upon and ensure the coordination of stakeholder engagement and leveraging strategies within the City of McKinney, including existing organizational efforts currently underway to identify and support sustainability objectives.
o Identify and prioritize activities for leveraging fiscal and non-fiscal resources in support of the City of McKinney’s objectives.
o Identify and implement strategies to build the capacity of organizations, individuals, and champions to participate in sustaining community-wide investment and participation.
o Build and nurture a shared, community-wide ownership of and participation in the City of McKinney sustainability vision through developing partnerships between individuals, governments, corporations, and foundations working to identify physical, natural, and fiscal resources and achieve similar results.
o Develop clear and measurable sustainability goals with associated, potential implementation tools.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• The Sustainability Plan does not require any matching funding.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A