Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Sustainability Coordinator

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager
FROM:	Eileen Horn – Sustainability Coordinator
Date:	October 22, 2010
RE:	Agenda Item – Authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Climate and Energy Project, and pass Resolution 6908 in support of the Take Charge Challenge.

Please include the following item on the City Commission Consent Agenda for consideration at the November 2, 2010 meeting: Authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Climate and Energy Project, and pass Resolution 6908 in support of the Take Charge Challenge.

The City of Lawrence has been invited to participate in the Take Charge Challenge, an energy efficiency contest coordinated by the Climate and Energy Project (CEP) and sponsored by the Kansas Energy Office.  The City of Lawrence and KU will collaborate to achieve a larger energy use reduction than our competitor Manhattan and K-State. The Challenge will run from October 2010 - October 2011.

The City of Lawrence will be provided with a part-time regional coordinator to facilitate planning and coordination throughout the year.  We will also receive an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) of $25,000 from the Kansas Energy Office to fund the Challenge. The City will work with CEP and its regional coordinator to determine a process for spending and tracking EECBG funds.

As a participating Take Charge Challenge city, the City of Lawrence will need to agree to the following (from the Memorandum of Understanding):

• To make city venues available to host Challenge meetings and events free of charge.
• To appoint a city staff person to serve on the Leadership Team.
• To authorize a reasonable amount of staff time to work with the regional coordinator.
• To have the Mayor, City Commissioners and/or City Manager attend Take Charge Events.
• To coordinate program fund spending with CEP.
• To help promote the Challenge by utilizing City communication staff/website/newsletters.
• To pass a city resolution to promote the Take Charge Challenge.

Action Request: Authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Climate and Energy Project, and pass Resolution 6908 in support of the Take Charge Challenge.

Thank you for your assistance. Please advise if you have any questions.